Harbaugh strikes a nerve
Ravens coach John Harbaugh clearly isn't about providing bulletin board material for opposing teams, but it doesn't take much when that team was 1-15 last year and its former coach is now the offensive coordinator of the Ravens.
Harbaugh's rather vanilla defense of Cam Cameron's performance in Miami last year didn't sit well with some of the players who were on that team and are now part of a more respectable Dolphins team. Here's what he said:
''He (Cameron) was an effective coach down in Miami last year, even though the results weren't what people were hoping for. He did a great job there with what he had to work with.''
That was about as controversial as a canned food drive. Harbaugh was just using a bland pleasantry to steer around a sensitive issue that is largely irrelevant to anyone outside of the Miami area, but his quote inadvertently opened up some old wounds and became motivational fodder in the Dolphins' locker room.
Here's the story that was posted The Miami Herald's Web site yesterday.
Sun file photo






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Comments
With all the pro baseball players having blogs, I would like to see one from Millar. He would be a perfect representative for the the Orioles, fun and informative. Let people know what it's like in the off season while waiting to hear if he is coming back ...
Posted by: Belle | October 16, 2008 7:43 AM
BooHoo-whaaaaa....cry me a river. The Dolphins had their feelings hurt. Maybe they will be wearing their skirts for the game on Sunday. They are the players responsible for all that losing though, even Cam shoulders most of the blame - but the players were just bad. Anyway, big freakin' deal man. Guess what though...I think the general question should actually be, why after going 1-15 as a head coach, do we (the Ravens) hire him to run our offense (that we are supposed to be improving)? Are we dealing with what we have to work with as well? I guess that goes back to who we sign as free-agents or pick in the draft. Unfortunately, I don't think the Ravens will have much fun with Miami regardless. With the offense unable to score and the secondary unable to defend the pass...we are in for a rough day. Maybe the Raiders will cheer us up? The again...Miami was supposed to do that for us last year, right?
Posted by: Jami | October 16, 2008 8:06 AM
And remind me ... which team was the "1" in the "1-15"? The "what he had to work with" kicked our ass last year. Now what? Why do people think they're obliged to expound to the media. Just say "I have the utmost confidence in Cam" period.
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Pete's reply: I don't know why people have to expound to the media but, for my sake, I hope they keep doing it.
Posted by: Paul B Towson | October 16, 2008 9:14 AM
The comment was as bad as your normal inane writings. You are living proof that the SUN staff is comprised of individuals with less than 3 grey cells. Talk of rileing up the audience, you never bring favor on the light of the Baltimore sun.
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Pete's reply: Thanks for stopping by. You only misspelled a couple of words in that post, so we're making progress.
Posted by: johnjames44 | October 16, 2008 10:08 AM
I found Ronnie Brown's comments particularly amusing, considering he only played six and a half games last year. If you think about it, he's partly exempt from Harbaugh's statement--Cameron didn't have him "to work with" for the whole year, and if I remember correctly, he was leading the league in yards from scrimmage when he tore his ACL. He doesn't need to prove anything except that he's still effective after his injury.
Posted by: Burgess | October 16, 2008 10:29 AM
I agree with Terrell Suggs that if we lose to Miami then the season is over.
Posted by: Larry | October 16, 2008 10:32 AM
I don't know what the Dolphins are getting upset about. Sometimes the truth hurts. Without beating us, they would be 0-16. Harbaugh was didn't say anything offensive. If they had that much talent with the injuries, they would have won more games. Take a chill pill.
Posted by: DEK | October 16, 2008 10:46 AM
Geeeee, I thought earning their paychecks would be motivation. No one would put stuff up on the bullentin board for me when I was in the work force. Of course, I didn't make the kind of money the NFL players made. Yeah, it makes sense to me now.
Posted by: OCJOHN | October 16, 2008 11:06 AM
way to go coach, just what we need at this point, either you are not as smart a coach as billed or you need a whole lot more experience!
Posted by: Mike B | October 16, 2008 12:05 PM
I think they have every right to be upset by that remark. John talkin a little trash. Love it!
I put Cam in the same category of Norv Turner. Great offensive coach but not very good head coach. Offensive coaching is about schemes, finding mismatches, and intuition and timing. Head coaching is about leadership and being able to motivate your players.
Look at Cam. Would you follow him anywhere? Well, maybe to computer class.
Posted by: Rick H. | October 16, 2008 12:23 PM
Come on if Joey Porter is not upset let it go. And on this level why do you need a comment to get you ready to play. Both teams ended up firing the coaches if you don't win you will not be around, that is why it's call the NFL
Not For Long, and has a player
I thought it was all about the love of the game or the $$$$$$$$$ and not some comment that was made.
Posted by: anthony green | October 16, 2008 2:06 PM
Why do NFL players need bulletin board material? They get paid millions of dollars to go out and play, and according to Herm Edwards, you play to win the game. What else is there/needed?
Schmuck, you've got a good blog. Thanks for the info and the updates.
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Pete's reply: Thanks. Now that the roast is over and I've gotten some other busy work behind me, I'll hunker down and make it even better.
Posted by: Poe | October 16, 2008 2:12 PM
Yeah, I like how Pete will come out and play with us. Mike is mean. He never comes out to play.
Posted by: Rick H. | October 16, 2008 2:51 PM
Harbaugh's comments were on the nose in the most polite way possible. It's just a shame the Dolphins can't take a punch. I think if we can pick up a solid receiver in the off season, everyone will see why we were very lucky to get him as our OC.
Was johnjames44 passed over for a job with the Sun at some point? Sheesh.
I like your blog Pete. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Chris | October 16, 2008 3:14 PM
Let's see.......hmmmmmmm..Cam or should we call him Can't.
We ..once again...another year......posess an "Awsome " Defence that's not only carrying this team, but taking a serious Beating.
Unless somebody does a better job at Schooling "Joe Flunko" and this Offense, we still look like we are being led by Brian Billick. Looks like the same "Crap Stradegy" all over again to those of us with eyes here in B-More.
Is Brian really our "Behind the scene"Silent Coach ????
Miami-64
Balto-3
Posted by: Steve G | October 16, 2008 4:26 PM
Just remember ratbirds, we beat your butts last year. Now, it's time for another whuppin'.
As for BB material, a real pro uses whatever is available to get his emotions game-ready. Thankfully, your bozo coach provided it.
Look for a 30-0 shellacking with lots of the wildcat being played!
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Pete's reply: Did you really say 30-0. What are they putting in those mojitos down there?
Posted by: Rolo Carrillo | October 16, 2008 7:57 PM
Nice post Steve G ARE YOU FROM WASHINGTON....I did not think there were idiots in B-more
Posted by: Chuck | October 16, 2008 8:08 PM